Last updated on March 25th, 2021 at 05:04 pm
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 epidemic a pandemic. Soon after, life as we knew it came to a screeching halt. Here in Hawaii, though, things changed a little later than elsewhere. So let’s talk about how things have been going over what’s essentially been a lost year.
In typical Hawaii fashion, it took Hawaii Governor David Ige about a week from the pandemic declaration date until any action was taken. On March 17, 2020, Governor Ige asked visitors around the world to postpone their vacations to Hawaii. True, state governors have no power to restrict travel, but it was a meager response to a global threat that humanity hadn’t experienced in about a century. Days later, Hawaii’s mayors took matters into their own hands, shuttering restaurants, attractions, and non-essential stores across the state. Then, a few days after his initial announcement, and under immense pressure from the Lt. Governor, county mayors, and medical experts, Governor Ige instituted a statewide travel quarantine rule. That quarantine order went into effect on March 24, 2020, and is still in effect today.
So, one year later, how has pandemic life been?
Lost Year of Travel
I’ve written about this multiple times before, but the pandemic forced me to lose out on my business travel and personal trips. Trips to Kauai, Maui, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Seattle – gone in an instant. Things were all that bad, though. Once things began reopening, we did end up going on a number of staycations. They included:
- Ritz-Carlton Residence Waikiki Beach
- Waikiki Beach Marriott
- Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort
- Westin Moana Surfrider – review coming soon!
That means I only have two Marriott locations left to review in Waikiki. It only took me seven years, but I’m finally nearing my unstated goal of reviewing all Marriott Waikiki locations. Why? Just because.
Staycations certainly aren’t a replacement for actual travel, but they’ve been providing a nice change of pace. Plus, staying local helps to support our hospitality industry. An industry that’s certainly been struggling to stay afloat. And speaking with hotel staff during our stay, they’re certainly elated to see locals supporting our local economy.
New Routines
Of course, it isn’t just the lack of travel that’s different. Everyday life is endless to say, far from different too. For the past year, I’ve been working from home. And have basically been staying home. Rarely do I ever venture out. Aside from occasional outings to the office, for groceries, to support local businesses, for drive-thru baby showers, etc., of course. I do, after all, have many high-risk people in my life. But, with vaccinations ramping up, the light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter.
At the same time, vaccination efforts in Hawaii are lagging. What’s more, while the US has made great strides at reducing the virus’s spread, we seem to be heading in the wrong direction once again. Even Hawaii is seeing a spike in cases, albeit a much smaller one than before. As a result, it’s difficult to say for sure when things will begin getting back to normal. However, current projections say later this summer – and I certainly hope so.
That said, I do think I’m handling things rather well. While I do have occasional bouts of cabin fever, I’ve adapted to hermit life quite well. Besides working and blogging, I keep myself busy with cooking experiments, playing video games, and catching up on my streaming.
Reopening Plans
What I’m Looking Forward to the Most
When we do eventually begin returning to normal, I hope to travel somewhere – anywhere to scratch my itch. At the moment, I’m considering jumping over to Maui or Kauai for a few days – Maui, especially if I can secure a decent award stay at the Grand Wailea. Oh, and only if travel testing requirements go away. Outside of that, I’m looking forward to being able to freely dine out once again. While we’ve dined out a few times under rare and controlled circumstances, it’s just not the same. Plus, there are a few indoor-only restaurants I’ve been dying to try out.
Most of all, though, I’m looking forward to being able to hang out with friends once again. Whether that be my life-long friends or those I’ve made through my travels. Being able to socialize in-person once again, safely, and without worry, is what I, and most everyone else, I’m sure, are looking forward to the most.
A Lost Year – One Year of Pandemic Living, Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the last year, I must say that it’s been an interesting ride. And while I miss life as it was, things have been ok. I’ve been fortunate to maintain my employment and my health. Things could definitely be worse. So, how are you doing? What have you been doing to pass the time during the pandemic? What are you looking forward to most when we finally return to normal? Where are you planning to travel to first?
??? I don’t get articles like this.
During the ‘pandemic’ I visited: 19 US states. 6 continents, and 30+ countries.
Still flying every week.
Nothing slowed down, nothing stopped.
I genuinely don’t get what people hid in their homes for.
Life is a lot more important than ‘staying safe’
Go outside, live.
Don’t just do what you’re told.
Yes Island Miler, it’s been a rough year for many. Especially for those who died or lost a loved one, or who are suffering from long haul issues. I too have been working from home, staying away from grocery stores (I did discover ordering online ordering and parking lot pick up – love it, it’s all I do now). We’ve tried to support restaurants with online ordering and pickup, and tipping generously for – no service – to help those businesses hit hard. I only walk in the neighborhood where there is lots of room on the streets. People on the public trails are really bad about social distancing and masking. I miss hugging my parents. I still haven’t seen my newest grandson. I miss Europe! And Asia! And Canada! I can’t wait until we Americans are welcomed back! For all of the activities that I’ve curtailed this year in the interest of public (and my own) health, the one thing that I haven’t given up is flying. I’ve flown a lot during the pandemic, because my family is very, very spread out from coast to coast. Alaska Airlines, up through January of this year, capped first class to 50% occupancy (I’m upgraded on every flight). Even still today, Alaska Airlines is blocking middle seats in premium economy. Early on during the pandemic, I was flying on planes that had <25% occupancy, and later on, 50% occupancy, so I thought, why not (I'm supporting an industry hit hard, wink wink). I wore/wear a mask and a face shield. Wash(ed) my hands profusely, and hang out in the low occupancy airport lounges before and between flights. I was that person who politely asked those lined up behind me on escalators, jet bridges and airplane aisles to please maintain social distance (because no one does). The air filtration systems aboard the Boeing and Airbus aircrafts that I rode/ride on are actually better than hospitals (same hepa filtration, but the air circulation and replenishment from outside air is faster, and is top to bottom, not front to back). I've done the research, vetted the studies. Sitting on an airplane is very safe (airports and shuttles, perhaps not so much.) I've flown 100k domestic miles in the past year, have had antibody tests and Covid tests (all negative), so far, so good. Maybe I'm lucky, but I've really done the due diligence of employing all of the layers of protection that have been recommended by the CDC. One layer by itself helps, but still has "holes". Add multiple layers, and now we're in reasonable shape. And I won't lie, I've suffered a lot of Covid anxiety on travel days from putting myself out there, but it seems to have worked out. For me, anyway. The pandemic has taught me some lessons. We all see and face the world differently. It's important not to judge, because we all do "it" differently. It's important for me to be patient with others as well as myself, so much patience, omg!!! To forgive others and forgive myself. To go easy. To be quiet and listen. Have compassion. Be more grateful. Health is everything. Kindness matters. Human relationships matter. I learned that I'm stronger than I thought in some ways, weaker in other ways. I recently got my first shot, and by April 17, I should have the maximum immunity that the vaccine provides. I'm in Hawaii right now, but not as a tourist. I'm doing the same thing here that I do at home. Parking lot pick up, restaurant take away, social distancing and masking, even outdoors if other folks are close by. I truly don't mind it. Next month, I'll finally get to meet my newest grandchild, who was born back on Thanksgiving Day. Things are looking up!
Pluto77, if everyone were as responsible as you when traveling during these trying times, we’d all be much better off. Unfortunately, kindness, compassion, courtesy, and even acknowledgment of science have been really lacking in the past few years. And you’re absolutely right that the airplane with its HVAC system on is, perhaps, one of the safest places to be! If I were to travel, it’d definitely be the airports – and, in particular, those TSA lines – that concerns me the most. Though, McDonnell Douglas aircraft such as the Boeing 717 don’t have HEPA filters in them :P. At any rate, thank you for being such a responsible traveler and for being a champion of our hospitality works. I’m also of the mindset that you should tip as if you’re dining in while doing take-out. It’s not the workers’ fault, after all, that things are the way they are. At any rate, happy and safe travels, my friend. I look forward to being able to meet up with you again in the near future!